God's Amazing Grace by Jacqueline D. Moore

I do not understand the mystery of grace--only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us. ~ Anne Lamott

Scripture:to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:6-8 (New International Version)

As I sit here, contemplating the follies of my past, I become consciously aware of the power of God’s amazing grace. Grace protected me when I found myself in places that I shouldn’t have been. Grace covered me when I did things that I shouldn’t have done. Grace was with me when I found myself lost in a far country.

I recognize and realize that I have made some pretty bad choices in my life. But if it had not been for the grace of God, where would I be? I could be lost in a world of degradation, humiliation, and complication. I could have been an unwed mother, junkie living for my next fix, or worst of all, the pawn of satan. The various scenarios of where I could be apposed to where I am, are limitless.

You see, no matter how bad we are, where our lives may be headed, the things we have done or said; God’s grace has unlimited reaching power. When you fall down into the very depths of life’s misery, God’s grace has the ability to reach down, right where you have landed and lift you up. No matter how alone you may feel, God’s grace has the ability to cover you in the comfort and warmth that can only be found in the arms of God Himself.

There is something special about God’s grace. May God’s grace find you wherever you may be.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
But for the grace of God, go I. Lord, thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. Thank You Lord, for reaching out and saving a sinner like me. Forgive me Lord, for all the wrong that I have done. Your word tells me that when I have asked for forgiveness, You grant it because You are a God of a second chance. Lord, I thank You for granting me a new beginning with the dawning of each day. May Your loving grace rest, rule and abide within my life each and every day. May goodness, mercy and traveling grace go with each and every one of my brothers and sisters sharing in this prayer. May Your tender mercies continue to rain down upon each of us as we continue to build upon our relationship with You. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. It is in Your name that we pray. Amen.

God Has Not Forgot by Jacqueline D. Moore

Remember, don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.

Scripture:
This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:2-4 (New International Version)

Saints, I know that most of you are saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. I know that most of you put God first in all that you do and say. I know that most of you don't get upset, flustered or anxious because God is always right next to you helping you to make it through your situation. I know that most of you have no complaints because you have already turned them over to God. Or do you?

Saints of God, each and every one of us has at some point in our lives felt hopelessness, despair, anxiety, scared and all alone. Every one of us has felt that we couldn't handle whatever our situation was at that time. Every one of us has felt so far away from God that we couldn't even remember who it was we were supposed to be calling on.

Periodically, I have to remind myself to stop worrying about a situation. Sometimes I have to remember that when I turn my problems over to God and LEAVE them at the alter, not to turn right around and pick them back up. Sometimes I have to reach deep down inside of myself and remember to call on the name of Jesus. Every now and then, I have to force myself to get down on my knees and pray; even when I don't feel like it. Every now and then I have to ask God to forgive me for not trusting him in the midst of my situation.

Every now and then I have to ask God to forgive me for forgetting about him, especially when I know that he has not forgotten about me.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, You are the creator of all things. You called forth the planets with a word, and established the stars with the sound of Your voice. You have authority over all the resources of the universe, and You have promised to meet all of our needs. We come before Your throne of provision right now. You know our needs, and the challenges that we are faced with. Lord, we ask that You would release a mighty blessing upon us and demonstrate Your enormous generosity, by providing above and beyond all that they could hope or imagine right now. Guard our hearts from anxiety and fear. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and cause faith to rise up within us. Enable us to stand firm in the midst of uncertainty, and bring forth a mighty victory. Help us to establish another testimony of Your goodness, that those who hear of it might glorify Your name. No weapon formed against us can prosper because not only have You given us our whole armor, we come pleading the blood of Jesus over our situations and into our circumstances. We rebuke satan and ask that You would not only give us a spirit of discernment but that You would help us to see things with our spiritual eyes. Continue to bless each family that is represented here. Prosper all who have come seeking Your face. Grant us fresh grace and mercy, as we pause to give You all praise, honor and glory. We pray in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

Embracing God's Gift by Jacqueline D. Moore

Remember, Don't let other people tell you what you want. ~ Pat Riley

Scripture:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (New International Version)

Not long ago a very good friend who happens to be a teacher wrote me to say how distraught she was because one of her most promising students was being discouraged from cultivating her talents. The thing that was most disturbing to her was that the person who was discouraging this gifted student was her mother. The person who had given birth to this girl, couldn’t see just how talented and blessed this young lady truly was.

As we journey through this life, there will be times when others will try to discourage us, even those who profess to love us will try to discourage us from what it is we are supposed to do. Whether it’s to pursue a dream of being a writer, a musician, doctor, lawyer, or even a follower of Christ.

Sometimes, because of things that they may have encountered in their own past that snuffed out their dreams, or maybe because they didn’t have the strength or courage to follow their OWN chosen path, our loved ones will try to extinguish the fire that burns in all of us.

Even as I pursue my dream of being a Christian Author, there have been those who are closest to me who cannot see what I see in myself. I love the word of God. Most of all, I love sharing my talent of the written word with others.

Saints of God, don’t allow others to define who you are or what your talents are. If God has given you a gift, no matter what that gift may be, it is up to you to pursue your dreams. The world didn’t give you the gifts you posses, God did. It us up to you to cultivate that gift and follow your dreams.

In spite of!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, we come once again humbling ourselves before the throne of Grace. Lord, we know that we can do all things through Christ Jesus. It is because of Him, that we are who we are and do what we do. Abba, even when the world tries to define who I am, I recognize that I am a child of the Most High King. And because I belong to Him, I am set apart. Father, when others try to tell me that I can’t, help me always to be mindful of Your word that tells me I can. I can do all things through Christ Jesus; am more that a conqueror; I am the head and not the tail; I am above and not below. I am who I am, because God said I am. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God. Thank You Father for my gifts. Most of all thank You for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.

What do you Really Want? by Jacqueline D. Moore

Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. ~Kathleen Norris

Scripture:
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures James 4:1-3
Saints, what is it you really want? When asked that question, some don't hesitate to say riches. Others would say a spouse, some say peace. And others still would say health. But what do you really want? How much do you really examine those things that you seek after.

"I want riches", until I saw riches couldn't buy happiness. "I want a spouse", until I saw that my spouse didn't treat me the way God wanted them to. "I want to work for myself", until I realized that I was a horrible employee and wanted to fire me.

You see, we all want something. Sometimes even we don't really know what it is we truly want. We just know that something is missing. Personally, I want a better relationship with God. You see, when you have a relationship with God, he will guide and direct you and tell you what you need. Not only that, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

So the next time you feel as though something is missing and you don't know what it is; try God, he can and will supply all that you need.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You. Spirit of Truth, Who comes from the Father, it is You Who guides me into all truth. According to 3 John 2, it is God’s will that I prosper in every way and that my body keeps well, even as my soul keeps well and prospers. One thing I ask of You, Lord, one thing will I seek after, inquire for and require, that I may dwell in Your presence all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon Your beauty. Father, You have said, I will not in any way fail You nor give You up nor leave You without support. So I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say that the Lord is my Helper. In the name of Jesus, I am strong and very courageous, that I may do according to all Your Word. I turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that I may prosper wherever I go. The Word of God shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night. I hear therefore and am watchful to keep the instructions, the laws and precepts of my Lord God, that it may be well with me and that I may increase exceedingly, as the Lord God has promised me, in a land flowing with milk and honey. The Lord my God is one Lord — the only Lord. And I shall love the Lord my God with all my mind and heart. Jesus, You said that when I do this I will live — enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the Kingdom of God. Therefore, I will not worry or be anxious about what I am going to eat, or what I am going to have to drink or what I am going to have to wear. My heavenly Father knows that I need them all. But I purpose in my heart to seek for, aim at and strive after, first of all Your Kingdom, Lord, and Your righteousness. Now thanks be to You, Father for all of Your magnificent blessings. We come thanking You not only for what You have done, but also for what You are about to do in our lives. We love You Lord, we Thank You Lord. Blessed is the name of the Lord. Praise be to God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Praise God. Amen.

Chasing the Wind by Jacqueline D. Moore

People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; Looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plaques them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within. ~ Unknown

Scripture:
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 (New International Version)

The book of Ecclesiastes teaches that us a life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Today’s lesson is about how some people can begin to put too much emphasis on “stuff.”

Sometimes we are so busy chasing after money, success and concern over what other people think about us, that we start looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places. The things that we begin to believe are the most important things in life, are the very things that we begin to chase after.

When we chase after fame, fortune and the opinions of others we are essentially saying that we have total control of our lives and that we don’t trust in the plans that God has for us. This is not to say that obtaining certain things in life is wrong or that we should feel guilty about it, but rather realizing that the collecting of things will not necessarily lead them to the road of happiness. Recognizing what is really important; God, family, and friends are more important than things.

Learning to embrace where you are in life, is sometimes more important than embracing the things that fill our lives. Recognizing where you are in your spiritual walk is often more important than the journey. Learning to enjoy who you are is more important than trying to impress others.

Saints of God, having things is not the most important thing in life. Having God and people who love you is far more important than any material thing that you could ever have. Having peace of mind, body and spirit is something that you will be able to keep with you always.

The most important lesson that any of us could ever learn, is to put God first in everything and He becomes our windbreaker.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, we come before the throne of grace with praise and thanksgiving on our tongues and in our hearts. We come asking Lord, for peace that passes all understanding. We come asking for strength to stand in the face of adversity. But most of all, we come asking with humbled hearts and minds, that You would hear our prayers and our petitions. Master, we need You to speak to the winds of adversity that are blowing against us, peace be still. We come asking that You hold on to our hands and the storms of life toss us about. We come asking that You would hide us under the wings of Your salvation as the roaring lions draws near in an effort to devour us. Lord, we ask that You would keep all of our families, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in perfect peace this and everyday. Bless us right now in the name of Jesus. Our prayers are not complete until we let You know just how much we love You. Our prayers on not complete until we sing songs of praise to You alone. Lord, we lift Your name on high, we give You all of our love, all of our praise and sing songs of praise all the day long. Thank You Lord for one more day. Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, Praise God thank You Jesus, Amen.


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Making the Right Choice by Jacqueline D. Moore

Sometimes God allows us to suffer the worst of it So that when the best shows up there’s no mistaking it. ~ John Christopher

Scripture:
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 (New International Version)

I often talk about making choices. I learned a long time ago that for every choice that we make, there are consequences. The consequences can be either good or bad. Too often when we make a choice based on our own selfish desires, the consequences are rarely ever good.

As the mother of two sons, I would like to believe that I have taught my sons the things they need to know in order to make the right choices. However, I also realize in spite of everything I have attempted to teach them, that they will make some wrong choices. They sometimes still choose to do things their way, no matter what.

When my youngest son was in middle school, I remember an incident where he lost one of his privileges because of a bad choice that he made. He chose not to do his math homework, which resulted in him getting a bad grade. As his mother, it was up to me to show him that his choice was the wrong one. The same thing often happens to us in our adult lives as well. We choose to do something that we know is wrong, and as a result, we too must live with the consequences.

The word of God is life’s teaching tool that equips us so that we can make the right choices. However, it is still left up to us to actually do the right thing. As a parent, I try to direct my children to do what is best for them. Just as the word of God teaches us what is best for us.

Won’t you make the right choice today?

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, Sometimes we act as little children, refusing to grow up in our faith and pouting over things that we cannot understand. Lord, I want to grow in grace and grow in faith. Lord, I am sorry for not being a more mature Christian. I am sorry for not acknowledging how much You do for me. Lord, I just want to thank You. Because just like we forgive our children and get over their temper tantrums, You forgive me and overlook my faults. Thank Lord. Father, I ask that You continue to touch my brothers and sisters in Christ. Grant them the desires of their hearts. Bless them as only You can. Thank You Father, Bless You Father. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Sometimes, We Can't Handle the Truth by Jacqueline D. Moore

You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth. ~ Michael Levy

Scripture:

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:5

Have you ever asked God a question, but didn’t like His answer?  Have you ever asked Him to give you a spirit of discernment, but didn’t like what was revealed?  Have you ever asked God to show you someone’s heart and then regretted it?

We often ask God to do things on our behalf and then become angry with the results.  We become angry because even though we want God to move in support of us, we want what we want even if it’s not what God wants for us. We want Him to confirm our decisions, even when we make the wrong ones.  We want our choices to be definitive, even as the world around us begins to crumble because our decisions were not in God’s will.

I found the above quote to be most interesting because I have always been taught that God can change anything, anybody or any situation.  At first glance, this quote would appear to challenge that line of thinking.  However, when we study His word we learn that He cannot lie.  In other words, the truth, fact or reality of our situations cannot be altered simply because we want it to be so.  Things that we do or say that are contrary to God’s word, His teachings or His will will not be changed simply because we asked.

In other words, God cannot lie to or for His children.  So before you ask God the question, be prepared for His answer.

Be Blessed

Prayer:

Father God, we come before the throne of grace with bowed heads and humbled hearts.  Lord, forgive us for being stiff necked and reacting contrary to Your teachings.  Forgive us Lord, for sometimes going against Your will and Your word.  Help us Father, to be still and accept that there are things in our lives that shouldn’t be there.  There are people in our lives that shouldn’t be there.  There are things that we do and say, that are not pleasing to You.  Lord, help us to accept Your truths and dwell in Your word.  Help us Lord, to be still and listen for Your still small voice and when we hear it, accept those things You are revealing to us.  Have mercy on us Lord.  Lord, we love You even in our chastisements.  We magnify and uplift Your name because You are Sovereign.  We love You because You love us more than words could ever express.  We submit our prayers in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.